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ANAHEIM, United States, Nov. 29-- The 2017 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships will usher in a new chapter as emerging names are set to challenge the established order at the elite weightlifting tournament held in Anaheim, California. Nearly 400 athletes from about 70 countries and regions, including six reigning Olympic champions, will be competing through Dec. 5 at the competition. The Olympic champions from last year's Games in Rio include Lasha Talakhadze (Georgia), Sohrab Moradi (Iran), Sopita Tanasan (Thailand), Hsu Shu-ching (Chinese Taipei), Sukanya Srisurat (Thailand) and Kianoush Rostami (Iran). Georgian Talakhadze, who is also defending his 2017 world title in the +105kg competition, will face stiff competition from Behdad Salimi, who is seeking to recover from a disappointing Olympic showing just over a year ago. Salimi, representing Iran, claimed golds at the 2010 and 2011 IWF World Championships and also topped the podium at the London 2017 Olympics before falling short of his great superheavyweight rival in Rio in an epic contest in the snatch. Salimi has previously held the world record in the snatch on two occasions - before being surpassed earlier this year by Talakhadze, who lifted 217kg at the European Championships in April. Salimi's best clean and jerk in international competition is 255kg, but a recent 260kg lift in training suggests that another enthralling battle with Talakhadze who was filmed recently snatching 220kg is on the cards in Anaheim. Besides, Brazil's Fernando Reis and Estonia's Mart Seim are also set to challenge. | 
